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6 | JUNE 2016 AUSTRALIAN HOTELIER
NEWS
FOR MORE INDUSTRY
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THESHOUT.COM.AU
DIXON HOSPITALITY’S
GROWTH BOOMING
Dixon Hospitality have continued their fast growth, purchasing two sites in Sydney’s newest harbour
precinct, Barangaroo, and purchasing the entire Beer DeLuxe portfolio – all in one month. It was first
announced that two sites within Barangaroo had been purchased, where the Melbourne-based pub
group will build their flagship Sydney venue – a bar/restaurant hybrid – and a rooftop bar with a Cuban
art deco aesthetic.
While Dixon Hospitality made their first foray into the Sydney market earlier this year with the
purchase of Jaime Wirth’s Drinkndine venues, the group was looking for a locale for their flagship
Sydney venue, and CEO Bruce Dixon is very pleased with the Barangaroo positioning.
“Barangaroo is the perfect location for our flagship Sydney presence. The Barangaroo dining
precinct will be world class and that is something we are committed to being part of.”
Just weeks after these sites had been announced, it was also revealed that Dixon Hospitality had
purchased all five Beer DeLuxe venues (plus one in Brisbane that is still being constructed) from
Armada Hospitality.
“We’re thrilled. It all happened very quickly, but I think it’s a great outcome for myself, my business
partner and Dixon Hospitality,” said Craig Shearer, director of operations at Armada Hospitality.
As part of the deal, Shearer and his business partner Jason Sheather, will remain on board to assist
with the expansion of the Beer DeLuxe brand.
“We have a pretty clear vision of where we want to take the brand, and being involved with the
Dixon guys to bring that to life is something that was paramount to getting the deal across the line,”
explained Shearer.
That expansion includes seeing the opening of the Brisbane venue – slated for later this year – and
the potential rebranding of some of the pubs in the Dixon Hospitality portfolio as Beer DeLuxe sites.
“[Dixon Hospitality] loves the brand, they love what it stands for and they really just want to grow it
and see it continue to improve.”
Dixon Hospitality is expected to float an IPO on the ASX 300 later this year.
MATHIESON FAMILY TO
TAKE CHARGE AGAIN
AT ALH
Steve Howarth,
National Operations
Manager for ALH
Group, was given a
mandatory redundancy
last month, after the
Mathieson family
decided to revert the
company back to a
family-based structure.
The decision was made after Woolworths
decided to review all aspects of its business due
to falling sales and market share. ALH Group is
a joint venture between The Mathieson Group
and Woolworths, owning 330 hotels across
Australia. With recent changes to both boards
and the impending review, the Mathieson family
decided that it was time to once again take
control of the leadership of ALH Group.
Howarth’s redundancy allows Bruce
Mathieson Jr to combine his roles as Chief
Executive Officer and National Operations
Manager, reverting back to a lean-operating
structure within the business.
“With a joint venture between a family-
based business and a large corporation,
corporatisation of operations doesn’t always fit,
so I believe the family just wants to get back to
the decision-making,” Howarth told AH.
Mathieson Jr agreed, commenting: “For
us the decision was about me getting back to
being closer to the business. That’s how we
used to operate, and I’m just getting back to
that position.”
This reversion to a Mathieson-led structure
comes at an interesting time – not just because
of the Woolworths review, which could
possibly recommend to demerge from ALH
Group or reallocate capital to other parts of
the Woolworths business – within the pub
industry. With alcohol consumption on the
decline and gaming expenditure decreasing
due to social pressures, many successful pub
groups have moved their focus to a locally-
tailored food and beverage offering. The
Mathieson Group, which has a large focus on
gaming, will need to look at revamping their
offerings nation-wide to remain competitive in
a landscape dominated by the likes of Dixon
Hospitality, Merivale and Solotel.
Since the redundancy, Howarth has
received several offers within Australia and
overseas. He is weighing up his options.
“I had a wonderful career at ALH. I feel
good about it. But it’s time for a change.”
Beer DeLuxe King St Wharf
Steve Howarth